Dr. Nick Gledich, the new District 11 superintendent, spoke at a luncheon with the Westside Optimist Club June 16, saying he will be meeting with the board soon to
develop a mutually acceptable “strategic plan” for the future.

New District 11 Superintendent Dr. Nick Gledich, relocated from Florida, stands in front of the landmark of his adopted locale.

Westside Pioneer photo

He showed the Optimists a two-sided sheet stating his beliefs and priorities, but said that one point in particular - “principled leadership” - “takes it all and makes it
one.”
Regarding the Westside, he pledged to monitor the process in the coming school year at West Middle School, which will share its building (and grades 6 through 8)
with grades K-5. He pointed out that during his 32-year educational experience, mostly in an administrative capacity with the Orange County public school district in
Florida, he helped establish a K-8 school. The result of the change? The students either “kept up or gained pace,” he said.
But he indicated an open mind on the West situation and said he has asked the district staff “to begin briefing me” on it this month.
The 2009-10 school year has been previously described by district officials as a “transition” year to observe academic progress at West and how the younger and
older students get along in the same building. If it seems to be working out, and the district sees a need for it, then West could become a full-fledged K-8 school.
Currently, there are two principals - Clay Gomez, continuing at the middle school; and Terry Martinez, formerly principal at Washington Elementary, now assigned to
West elementary.